Bronwyn Keith-Hynes and Jason Carter have released a music video from their October 15 performance on the Grand Ole Opry, filmed on their wedding day. The fiddling newlyweds were actually married at the Opry earlier that day, and returned in their nuptial attire to perform later that day.
Together they sing The Likes of Me from Jason’s 2022 album, Lowdown Hoedown, with members of their wedding party in tow. Bryan Sutton is on guitar, Cory Walker on banjo, Michael Cleveland (as Jake Blues) on mandolin, and Shelby Means on bass.
They all look perfectly natural on the Opry stage in their wedding duds, and of course, pick and sing brilliantly. The Opry audience got a kick out of the whole thing, especially knowing that Jason and Brownyn had been married there just a few hours earlier.
Check it out…
Well done all, and best wishes to Bronwyn and Jason as they celebrate their first Christmas together as husband and wife!
Bronwyn is also up for a Grammy next month for Best Bluegrass album for her current release, I Built A World.
The Grand Ole Opry has released a brief interview with Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland, two extra heavy hitters in the bluegrass fiddle world, about their twin fiddle collab album coming next spring.
Fiddle heroes and close friends Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland have released another track from their upcoming twin fiddle project. This time they call on one of the finest fiddlers to ever draw a bow, Kenny Baker, for a tune that has challenged bowsters for nearly two generations, Bluegrass in the Backwoods.
With its instantly recognizable introduction, this four part tune first appeared on Baker’s 1976 Frost on the Pumpkin album, and it has fascinated fiddlers ever since.
Carter says that this has been near the top of his list for some time.
“Kenny Baker was one of the pioneers of bluegrass fiddling, and has been a huge influence on both mine and Michael’s playing styles. I’ve loved Bluegrass in the Backwoods ever since I first heard it as a teenager.”
Jason and Michael not only perform this difficult number, they kick it off in perfect harmony. You may have heard people twin this tune before, but not like this!
Cleveland agrees, describing how much fun they had cutting this track.
“It’s a challenging tune to play, and I’ve often wondered how it would sound with twin fiddles. One of the highlights for me is the trade-off section where Jason and I get to jam over the third and fourth parts of the tune. Casey Campbell (mandolin), Alan Bartram (bass), Cody Kilby (guitar), and Cory Walker (banjo) absolutely crushed it. I couldn’t be happier with how our arrangement turned out—it’s such a blast, with everyone taking blistering solos.
It’s hard to play this song without thinking of Kenny Baker, and I often imagine a big jam session in the field at Bean Blossom, with someone like Joe Greene or Bobby Hicks playing harmony.”
It was the highlight of the bluegrass society season in Nashville when Bronwyn Keith-Hynes married Jason Carter at the Grand Ole Opry House on Tuesday, October 15. The two fiddle phenoms exchanged their vows on the Opry stage in a ceremony officiated by Vaughan Johnson.
Bronwyn’s bridesmaids should all be familiar to our readers: Molly Tuttle, Brenna MacMillan, Shelby Means (Maid of Honor), and Cristina Vane. Standing with Jason were Aidan Keith-Hynes (Bronwyn’s brother), Michael Cleveland (Best Man), Jeff Carter (Jason’s brother), and Alan Bartram.
Jason, of course, is the long time fiddler with both The Del McCoury Band and The Travelin’ McCourys, as well as with his own Jason Carter Band, while Bronwyn currently fiddles with Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, and her Bronwyn Keith-Hynes Band.
The two newlyweds, currently honeymooning in Hawaii, shared a few words about their big day, and how they were able to hold the ceremony on the Opry stage.
“We both are fortunate to get to play regularly on the Grand Ole Opry, and we were out there around the time that I proposed to Bronwyn. When we started talking about wedding venues, the Opry was the first place we thought of. The Grand Ole Opry is such a special place to us, and to any fan of bluegrass or country music.
We knew it was a long shot but figured it was worth asking. We were blown away when they said we could have our wedding there, because the Opry house is not a common wedding venue. And then to put the icing on the cake, they asked if we would be interested in performing on the Opry that night. So it was a total dream come true.
It really was an amazing day for us, being surrounded by so many friends and family. Some traveled as far as Ireland to come.
Since music is a huge part of our lives, it was very important to us who to get to play at the wedding. Michael Cleveland and Bryan Sutton performed during the ceremony, and Country Cousins (Timbo, Luke Munday, Nate Leath, and Brian Zonn) played the reception in Studio A at the Opry.
They were all incredible and just perfect! We are so fortunate to be a part of this amazing community! Our hearts are full.
Back on August 7, Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland trekked out to the Grand Ole Opry for the debut live performance of their latest single, Outrun The Rain. Now, a little more than two weeks later, the song makes its debut on our Bluegrass TodayWeekly Airplay chart at #1, a rare occurrence indeed.
We are delighted to also offer the premiere of the music video shot at the Opry on the seventh, which features very nearly the same personnel as the recording. With Michael and Jason on fiddles, and Carter singing lead, we see Cory Walker on banjo, Harry Clark on mandolin, Alan Bartram on bass, and Zeb Snyder subbing for Bryan Sutton on guitar. Bartram and Jaelee Roberts add vocal harmony.
As you might guess with a lineup like this, they turn in a stellar performance.
So without any further ado…
Jason and Michael also shared some terrific photos from the Opry, taken by Emma McCoury.
Outrun The Rain is available from popular download and streaming services online, and to radio programmers via AirPlay Direct. It will also appear on Jason and Michael’s new album together when it is released.
Could there be any two bluegrass fiddlers hotter than Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland? Since the year 2000, 16 of the 23 IBMA Fiddle Player of the Year awards have gone to one or the other, with Michael taking the larger of the haul.
Now with Jason’s emergence as a solo recording artist, taking advantage of his compelling voice as well as his impressive bow work, he and Michael have teamed up for a new project of twin-fiddled, Carter-voiced offerings. The second single from that album releases today on Fiddle Man Records, one entitled Outrun The Rain, written by Terry Herd and Jimmy Yeary.
The guys will debut the song live tonight on the Grand Ole Opry at 7:00 p.m. (CST), broadcast on WSM 650 AM from Nashville, and via online streaming worldwide. Be sure to tune in, or if you’re within an easy drive of Nashville, tickets for tonight’s show are available online. Also appearing tonight will be Alexandra Kay, Connie Smith, Riders in the Sky, Dustin Lynch, Charlie McCoy, Rhett Walker, and Austin Williams.
But we have the single here for you to hear this morning, the recorded version that is. With Michael and Jason on fiddles, and Jason singing the lead, we have Cory Walker on banjo, Harry Clark on mandolin, Bryan Sutton on guitar, and Alan Bartram on bass. Harmony vocals come from Jaylee Roberts and Vince Gill.
For a kickoff, they delivered a fiery fiddle rush to lead into a song that drives like a hurricane downpour.
Michael says that the distinctive kick was his idea.
“I aimed to create a twin fiddle intro that mimics the sound of rain, and when I heard Jason sing the chorus for the first time, I knew adding tenor and high baritone would make it even more powerful. Vince and Jaelee exceeded all expectations, making the final track something truly special.”
And Carter also credits Cleveland for the lick that follows the breakdown section.
“During the recording process, we also wanted to incorporate a jam section with instrument trades, and Michael came up with a really cool twin fiddle part to lead us back into the final chorus.
We’re thrilled with how Outrun the Rain turned out.”
How about we take two of the greatest bluegrass fiddlers of all time, and turn them loose in the studio? How could that not be a great idea?
That’s what Jason Carter thought, looking at the success of his recent solo album, Lowdown Hoedown. Knowing that he and Michael Cleveland were essentially cut from the same cloth, stylistically, and that they had been friends for the past three decades, why not get the two of them together to record? It’s a project the two have been talking about for quite some time, and now have finally brought to fruition.
Today we get a first listen to what they have created in a new song from Tim O’Brien and Matt Combs, Give It Away. We have Carter, bowman for The Del McCoury Band and The Travelin’ McCourys this past 30 years, and Cleveland, who has fronted his own Flamekeeper Band since 2006, twinning fiddles with Jason singing the lead. What’s not to like?
Between the two of them, Jason and Michael have a combined 18 IBMA Fiddler of the Year Awards, voted by their peers among bluegrass music professionals. 12 went to Michael, who has dominated that category for some time, and six to Jason. Each of them have collected three Grammy awards apiece. Is this getting through? This pairing is a big ol’ deal!
Give It Away is a bluesy grasser, recorded with support from Cory Walker on banjo, Bryan Sutton on guitar, Sam Bush on mandolin and harmony vocal, and Alan Bartram on bass. The song shares a simple home truth, you have to give in order to get, especially where love is concerned.
Or as Carter put it…
“When I first heard this song from Tim and Matt, it resonated deeply with me. It reflects a principle instilled in me by my parents: it’s always better to give than receive. Having Sam join me on vocals felt fitting. He has a remarkable ability to light up any room with his presence, and he embodies the spirit of giving and receiving love. It’s a joy to share this song with him.”
Cleveland readily agreed, saying…
“I first heard Give It Away on a demo Tim sent us, and I liked the song immediately. Tim’s version had a great old-time feel to it, but once I heard Jason sing it in the key of B, I knew we had a hard-driving bluegrass song on our hands!
The message of the song is something we can all learn from, and the groove never stops. I’d like to extend my gratitude to Bryan Sutton, Cory Walker, Alan Bartram, and Sam Bush for bringing this song to life.”
It’s a good’n, from the fiery twin fiddles, to Jason’s vocal, to the tight backing from the studio pickers.
Bluegrass is one of the few musical genres where sidemen receive recognition amongst its fanbase. From its earliest years, enthusiasts revered the playing of supporting musicians such as Paul Warren, Josh Graves, and George Shuffler among others. In modern times, Jason Carter is a name that would most likely enter someone’s mind when thinking about sidemen in bluegrass music. Known for his thirty years as the fiddler for the Del McCoury Band, Carter’s second solo project, Lowdown Hoedown, adds new dimension by spotlighting his abilities as a vocalist.
Unsurprisingly, Jason has surrounded himself with an incredible supporting cast of musicians and backup vocalists all throughout this project. This is most certainly the case with the opening track King of the Hill written by Bruce Hornsby. Along with Carter on fiddle and lead vocal, this piece also features Sam Bush on mandolin, Cody Kilby on guitar, Jerry Douglas on dobro, Russ Carson on banjo, and Dennis Crouch on bass.
The Six O Clock Train and a Girl with Green Eyes is a track that demonstrates Jason’s rich baritone voice. Written by the late John Hartford, this performance also features Billy Strings singing tenor. Jason and Billy’s vocal blend on this particular cut is very pleasing.
The Likes Of Me was one of the last songs recorded by country legend Conway Twitty before his passing in 1993. Performed here with a modern bluegrass feel, this track pairs Carter alongside his long time boss man Del McCoury. It’s hard for me to imagine anyone else singing harmony on this song. Like other recordings he’s lent his distinct voice to, McCoury does an exceptional job of complementing Jason’s lead vocals.
The title track, Hoedown For My Lowdown Rowdy Ways, features Jason alongside country singer Dierks Bentley. Danny Barnes who is featured here on banjo wrote this song. It definitely has a different feel than the other tracks on this project, but nonetheless it fits in well. Rhythmically and melodically speaking, it’s exactly what you would expect someone like Barnes to create. This track also includes Tim O’Brien on mandolin and David Grier on guitar.
Midnight Flyer features Jason alongside his bandmates in The Travelin’ McCourys. While this classic song by the late Paul Craft has been recorded many times over the years, Carter’s rendition is vibrant and full of energy.
The Queen of the Nashville Night pairs Carter alongside Vince Gill. Written by Shawn Camp, this song definitely falls into the country category. Nonetheless it’s a really fine track once again showing off Carter’s baritone alongside Gill’s smooth backing vocals.
Kissimmee Kid is the sole instrumental on the project. Written by Vassar Clements, this track is a great example of how much Jason has studied Vassar’s unique fiddle style. Along with David Grier on guitar, Jerry Douglas on dobro, and Dennis Crouch on bass, this track also features Marty Stuart on mandolin and Scott Vestal on banjo.
The last two tracks on Lowdown Hoedown are complete opposites of each other in terms of style and source. Highway 52 comes from the repertoire of Dave Evans and features Joe Mullins on harmony vocals, making this track unapologetically bluegrass. Bird Song, on the other hand, comes from the Grateful Dead. Featuring The Travelin’ McCourys alongside drummer Jonathan Fishman, this track is the ultimate example of acoustic jam band music. It made for an interesting closer.
Lowdown Hoedown is a supremely solid effort. Not only does it showcase Jason Carter’s abilities as a lead singer, it also displays his broad range on the instrument that fans have come to know and love him for.
Jason Carter, prolific fiddler and mainstay of both The Del McCoury Band and The Travelin’ McCourys, has a new album releasing this week, his first in 25 years. If you’ve caught his fiery performances on stage, or in the studio with dozens of other artists, you may think you know what to expect. But you’d be wrong.
Of the 13 tracks on the record, titled Lowdown Hoedown, only one is an instrumental, Carter’s take on the Vassar Clement’s classic, Kissimmee Kid. All the rest are ones which he sings, with some help from his many friends in Nashville.
Of course if you have caught Jason with either of the McCourys in person, you may already know that he is a fine singer with a rich baritone voice. So the notion of a non-fiddle album from a well-known fiddler appealed to him when it came time to record.
When we spoke last week, he explained a bit about that, and how this new project got its title.
“I figured people would expect a fiddle record, but wouldn’t see a vocal project coming.
We got to do a duet with Dierks Bentley. He’s a big country music star now, but we go way back… have been friends a long time. It’s one written by Danny Barnes, called Hoedown For My Lowdown Rowdy Ways.
I actually recorded an instrumental project with Danny some time back, and he sang a few songs for me that he had never recorded. I asked when we started if he had any, and when he told me the title, I knew I wanted to record it. Danny plays banjo on the track”
The first thing we asked is, after a solo recording layoff of more than two decades, why now for a new project?
“Man, you know what… I really don’t know. Part of it was the pandemic, with so much down time. I did a couple of sessions with the Travelers and with Del, and I had a number of songs that I just didn’t see doing with the Travelers. I had time at home, and everything seemed to come together.
It is long overdue, I can tell you that.
I never really had an interest in doing an instrumental record. And I guess it was just the right time.
My last solo project was in 1996, or ’97. Back then I was hanging out with David Grier at Brent Truitt’s studio, and he had written a bunch of instrumentals that I played with him. I had just moved to Nashville, and what ended up allowing me to make the move was that Brent’s wife said she would give me a job at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, where she was the manager.
I’ve sorted hooked back up with David again from going to the jams around here with Bronwyn at the Legion on Wednesday nights, and we recorded at Brent’s again, so it feels like a full circle thing.”
The list of contributors is nearly as long as Carter’s own career exploits. Pickers assisting in the studio include heavy hitter like Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Billy Strings, and Marty Stuart, along with contemporaries and bandmates The Travelin’ McCourys, plus Russ Carson, Cody Kily, David Grier, Scott Vestal, Dennis Crouch, and Bronwyn Keith-Hynes.
Helping with the vocals are bluegrass and country luminaries like the aforementioned Dierks Bently and Billy Strings, plus Vince Gill, Tim O’Brien, Aoife O’Donovan, Sarah Jarosz, and Joe Mullins. He even has the boss man, Del McCoury, singing harmony on one track.
Most of the material is either new, or obscure enough to feel novel, especially in the hands of Jason Carter and his co-producer Brent Truitt. He pulled out an old Dave Evans song, Highway 52, originally recorded by Reno, Smiley, and Harrell in 1971.
They also reprise the Paul Craft hit for both The Osborne Brothers and The Eagles, Midnight Flyer, cut here with The Travelin’ McCourys.
Jason has released a couple of live videos of songs from Lowdown Hoedown, performed with the band he will be touring with early in 2023 in support of the album: Cody Kilby on guitar, Cory Walker on banjo, Ashby Frank on mandolin, and Alan Bartram on bass.
Here is one for the first single, Bruce Hornsby’s King of the Hill, recorded backstage at Nashville’s Station Inn.
Grateful Dead fans will recognize Birdsong, from the Reckoning album in 1981, which is also included here.
Jason says that he decided to put this project out himself.
“It’s on my own label Fiddleman Records, a completely independent release. The record comes out November 4. I have audio CDs and LPs as well, and you can get them at shows. We’ve already started doing the first two singles with The Travelers.
I’m really pleased, really excited about this record. I love every song on it.
It’s funny… I was just thinking that I’ve still got songs that I want to record. It’s not going to be another 20 some years before recording again.”
A debut single is available today, Jason’s take on Bruce Hornsby’s King of the Hill from 1998. Carter is supported on the track by Russ Carson on banjo, Sam Bush on mandolin, Cody Kilby on guitar, Jerry Douglas on reso-guitar, and Dennis Crouch on bass.
Jason says of the song, which he found through Kilby, his longtime Travelin’ McCourys bandmate…
“The story is about a guy who is unhappy with his job and relates to it like a prison. I think it made a great bluegrass song. This was the first song we recorded for the record and the band knocked it out of the park.”
Pre-orders for Lowdown Hoedown, which features performances by guests like Dierks Bentley, Aiofe O’Donovan, Vince Gill, Billy Strings, Sarah Jarosz, Jon Fishman, Marty Stuart, and more, are enabled now as well.
